Abstract

Background

The final article in a series of three publications examining the global distribution
of 41 dominant vector species (DVS) of malaria is presented here. The first publication
examined the DVS from the Americas, with the second covering those species present
in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Here we discuss the 19 DVS of the Asian-Pacific
region. This region experiences a high diversity of vector species, many occurring
sympatrically, which, combined with the occurrence of a high number of species complexes
and suspected species complexes, and behavioural plasticity of many of these major
vectors, adds a level of entomological complexity not comparable elsewhere globally.
To try and untangle the intricacy of the vectors of this region and to increase the
effectiveness of vector control interventions, an understanding of the contemporary
distribution of each species, combined with a synthesis of the current knowledge of
their behaviour and ecology is needed.

Results

Expert opinion (EO) range maps, created with the most up-to-date expert knowledge
of each DVS distribution, were combined with a contemporary database of occurrence
data and a suite of open access, environmental and climatic variables. Using the Boosted
Regression Tree (BRT) modelling method, distribution maps of each DVS were produced.
The occurrence data were abstracted from the formal, published literature, plus other
relevant sources, resulting in the collation of DVS occurrence at 10116 locations
across 31 countries, of which 8853 were successfully geo-referenced and 7430 were
resolved to spatial areas that could be included in the BRT model. A detailed summary
of the information on the bionomics of each species and species complex is also presented.

Conclusions

This article concludes a project aimed to establish the contemporary global distribution
of the DVS of malaria. The three articles produced are intended as a detailed reference
for scientists continuing research into the aspects of taxonomy, biology and ecology
relevant to species-specific vector control. This research is particularly relevant
to help unravel the complicated taxonomic status, ecology and epidemiology of the
vectors of the Asia-Pacific region. All the occurrence data, predictive maps and EO-shape
files generated during the production of these publications will be made available
in the public domain. We hope that this will encourage data sharing to improve future
iterations of the distribution maps.